Watch This Space

I was impressed by the launch of the Apple watch recently.

Of course they have done it with all the style and panache we have come to expect from their excellent brand and you can hardly fail to notice the high fashion influence of ex Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts.

With Siri an integral part of the interface, and the strap technology (it’s a watch!) hands free really is becoming a reality and the strive for an imperceptible yet comprehensive experience continues at pace.

So how will this influence retail and consumers if at all? Will wearable technology become part of the immersive customer experience that the omni-channel paradigm is striving for? Will wearable technology be adopted by retailers to empower store staff with information and the ability to perform sales and stock transactions?

My view is that if you can see the impact that mobile is having already and how it will continue to grow and evolve, then wearable devices that allow customers to interact with your brand are inevitable. I have heard it said that ‘bricks and mortar’ stores will survive because customers very often want to see and touch the product. If there is any truth in that then devices that go some way to freeing up your hands whilst in store must have potential value.

I think that true seamless mobility may only occur when the watch moves away from the need to be tethered to the phone, we shall see.

As ever I’d be very interested in other views? And if you’ve invested in the watch, is it living up to the promise?